The Guide to 3D Printing with Nylon PA 12
Nylon PA 12 is a popular thermoplastic and a versatile engineering plastic, making it an excellent choice for various 3D printing applications.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Nylon PA 12 and how to effectively use it in 3D printing projects, focusing on Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technologies.
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What is Nylon PA 12?
A bike helmet 3D printing using Nylon PA 12.
Nylon PA 12 is a type of polyamide known for its excellent balance of mechanical properties. It offers high tensile strength, impact resistance, and low moisture absorption, making it ideal for applications where durability and environmental stability are crucial. Additionally, its chemical resistance allows it to withstand various oils, greases, hydrocarbons, and solvents, making it suitable for demanding applications in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and oil and gas.
SLS and MJF are the most common 3D printing technologies used with Nylon PA 12.
SLS uses a laser to sinter powdered material layer by layer, creating precise and durable parts with excellent mechanical properties.
MJF, on the other hand, uses a fusing agent applied by inkjet arrays and infrared energy to selectively fuse areas of the powder bed, resulting in high-detail parts with smooth surface finishes.
Material Properties of Nylon PA 12
Nylon PA 12 exhibits various properties that make it a preferred choice for various industrial applications. Our PA 12 datasheets for MJF and SLS provide more information.
| Nylon PA12 (MJF) | |
|---|---|
| Property | Value |
| Heat Deflection at 0.45 MPa (°C) | 175 |
| Heat Deflection at 1.82 MPa (°C) | 95 |
| Mechanical Properties | |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 48 |
| Tensile Modulus (MPa) | 1700-1800 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 15-20 |
| Physical Properties | |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.01 |
| Tolerances | |
| Achievable Part Accuracy (mm) | +/- 0.3 mm for parts up to 100 mm +/- 0.5% for beyond 100 mm |
| Min. Wall Thickness (mm) | 1.2 |
| Maximum Build Chamber Size | |
| 380 mm x 284 mm x 380 mm | |
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Common Applications of Nylon PA 12
Nylon PA 12 is utilized across multiple industries due to its robust mechanical properties and versatility:
Automotive: Widely used in the automotive sector for producing both interior and exterior vehicle parts, such as engine components, linings, and gaskets, due to its durability and heat resistance.
Consumer products: Ideal for producing durable and lightweight parts such as eyewear frames, sports equipment, and household items.
Aerospace: Employed in creating lightweight, strong components that need to withstand high stress and environmental extremes.
Medical devices: Thanks to its strength and stability, it is suitable for producing biocompatible parts, such as prosthetics and surgical instruments.
Oil and gas industry: Utilized for flexible piping and equipment components that must withstand exposure to oil, gas, and other corrosive fluids due to its excellent chemical resistance.
Nylon PA 12 vs. Nylon PA 11
When comparing Nylon PA 12 to Nylon PA 11, both materials share similarities, but they also have distinct differences that influence their use in 3D printing. PA 12 exhibits good chemical resistance, making it superior to materials like ABS and Nylon 6 in terms of durability against chemicals, solvents, and oils.
Mechanical properties: PA 12 tends to have slightly better dimensional stability and good mechanical properties, making it more resistant to cracking under stress, while PA 11 is known for its higher flexibility and impact resistance.
Applications: PA 12 is often chosen for applications requiring high precision and dimensional stability, such as in the automotive and aerospace industries. PA 11 is preferred in applications demanding higher flexibility and toughness, such as sports equipment and certain medical devices.
Post-Processing Techniques for Nylon PA 12
To enhance the properties of Nylon PA 12 parts, several post-processing techniques can be applied:
Surface Finishing: Techniques such as tumbling, sanding, and bead blasting can smoothen surfaces and improve the aesthetic appeal of parts.
Dyeing and painting: Nylon PA 12 parts can be easily dyed or painted to achieve the desired color and finish, enhancing both functionality and appearance.
Heat treatment: Annealing can improve mechanical properties like tensile strength and impact resistance, ensuring parts perform well under stress.
Machining: For applications requiring tight tolerances, additional machining can be performed to achieve precise dimensions and surface finishes.
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